The nation is watching the 13th Congressional District race and Pinellas voters got a chance to see the candidates, Republican U.S. Rep. David Jolly and Democrat former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, face off in a heated debate Monday night.

  • David Jolly-Charlie Crist debate quickly turned testy
  • Jolly attacked Crist on party switch
  • Crist hit at Jolly about recent St. Petersburg sewer situation

Jolly wasted no time attacking Crist for changing his party and his positions.

“Charlie just because you’ve been a member of both parties doesn’t make you bipartisan,” Jolly said. 

Crist attacked Jolly for not trying to get federal money to help fix leaky pipes that have spilled more than 100 million gallons of sewage into the Bay.

“What I don’t understand is why our member of congress, our Representative of Pinellas County which is the epicenter of this problem, isn’t advocating day after day after day for federal emergency help to get this cleaned up?” asked Crist.

“It is because the mayor who has endorsed you, who oversaw this catastrophe, has not asked for it,” Jolly replied.

“If you have to be asked for help when the people of your district are suffering, something is wrong,” Crist said. “Do you need an invitation to serve?”

Both candidates directly faced each other when going on the attack. The debate got heated when the moderator asked the candidates if they support a woman’s right to choose an abortion if she’s carrying a fetus with Zika.

“I think it’s a woman’s choice to make across the board as it relates to her health decisions,” Crist said. “My opponent doesn’t feel the same way.”

“Mr. Crist this is why we can’t believe what you say. You were pro-choice, then you were pro-life, then you were pro-choice,” Jolly said. “I think there should be exceptions permitted to terminate the pregnancy.”

Jolly also attacked Crist for waiting until the Florida Supreme Court redrew the congressional lines making it tilt democratic before getting into the race. 

“Mr. Crist you told Politico because the lines changed you saw the opportunity. There’s a difference between seeing the opportunity and being an opportunist,” he said. “I got into this race despite the fact the lines changed because we are changing politics right now as a Republican in a Democratic leaning district.”

“I got into this race because before the lines changed I didn’t live in the district,” Crist replied.

“You bought a house to be in the district in St. Pete Beach,” Jolly said.

“My wife bought that house on the beach as an investment,” Crist said.

Jolly said he still hasn’t decided whether or not to vote for Donald Trump and isn’t sure he’ll make a decision by the election.

Crist said he’s voting for Hillary Clinton. Both candidates were asked to give President Obama a grade. Crist gave Obama an ‘A’, while Jolly said he doesn’t give out grades but would put the President in the Jimmy Carter catergory.